Emeritus Professor Joe Isaac AO

Emeritus Professor Joe Isaac AO.

Photo: Monash University.

Joe Isaac was an academic, diplomat and author.

In 1945, aged 23, Joe Isaac (who had a working knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia and Dutch) accompanied William McMahon Ball to Batavia on instructions from the Minister of External Affairs, Dr H. V. Evatt to report on the conflict in the Netherlands East Indies. 

Along with members of the newly formed Indonesian Cabinet, they met with President Sukarno, Vice President Hatta and Prime Minister Sjahrir in what was one of the earliest steps towards close diplomatic relations between Australia and Indonesia.  

‘We were able to meet Sukarno soon after our arrival, and we met twice thereafter… Mac (William Macmahon Ball) outlined the purpose of his mission... and that Australia was sympathetic to the political aspirations of the Indonesians; and he canvassed Sukarno’s reaction to the despatch by the Australian Government of a boat load of medical supplies. No doubt thinking of the action of the Australian waterside workers (who refused to load Dutch ships hostile to Indonesian independence) Sukarno expressed gratitude for the support of the Australian people.’